Beach pollution has been a major problem along the coast of California for decades. It’s one of the reasons why a great effort has been made to get people to clean up after themselves and to volunteer to clean their local beaches.

Unfortunately, many people don’t understand just how damaging littering on the beach can be. To help spread awareness of how important it is to keep our beaches clean, July has been designated as Clean Beaches Month.

Why Clean Beaches Month Is Important

It’s vital that California residents and tourists understand the impact they have on the environment when they visit the beach. Leaving behind trash instead of properly throwing it away can contribute to disastrous, global consequences.

Here are ways in which litter on the beach can cause damage to the ecosystem:

Garbage can cause ingestion problems

Birds or ocean wildlife can swallow garbage, causing blockages in their digestive tracts. This leads to starvation. The ingestion of sharp objects can also puncture their stomachs, causing internal bleeding. Plastic ingestion has been a growing problem. In one study, more than 25% of fish around the world were found to have plastic inside of them.

Trash causes entanglement

Plastic bags, 6-pack holders, cans, string, and more can entangle wildlife. Entanglement can cause circulation loss, amputations, and wounds that lead to bacterial infections. It can also drag and weigh wildlife down, making them more vulnerable to predators or making it difficult for them to feed themselves.

Participate In a Beach Cleanup This Month

The first beach clean-up was organized in 1984. Since then, over 228 million pounds of trash have been collected during organized beach cleanups. You can make a difference by participating in a local beach cleanup.

At the very least, be sure to properly throw away your garbage when visiting the beach. And be sure to pick up and throw away any trash you come across. For more about Clean Beaches Month, visit us at The Benefits Store today.